50 Women in the Blues

Women have been at the dawn of the blues since Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey were singing about hard knocks and tough love in smoky bars. This book gives an overview of the early days of the blues and its development from the Mississippi Delta to the hometown of electric blues, Chicago, to becoming the vibrant global musical movement it is today. Features over 30 exclusive interviews with the amazing female musicians leading the Blues to new heights today.

Includes selected highlights from Chicago blues photographer Jennifer Noble's extensive colour collection.

“"...the book is produced in hardback, and as the notes say 'The book gives an overview of the early days of the blues and its development from the Mississippi delta to Chicago to the global music it is today'. So for all of us who Iove the blues this book is a must have. One of the best produced books on the blues you'll ever find."”

“Jennifer Noble is an insightful blues enthusiast whose wealth of knowledge of blues music is second to none. Through this rare book about women in blues, the reader encounters many of the talented ladies Jennifer has met on her photographic journey – from Irma Thomas to Ivy Ford – illuminated with wonderfully informative dialogue from the artists themselves to complement her photos. This is not just another coffee table book: it is a must read for all blues aficionados!” –Blues Matters Magazine“Jennifer Noble’s photographs make you fall in love with these Blues Women. She captures the essence of their soul. I have fallen in love with them as well and was so inspired that I started Women of the Blues Foundation. Thank you, Jennifer Noble for bringing me into a world of extraordinary women.” – Lynn Orman Weiss, Founder Women of the Blues Foundation and Women of the Blues Records.

JENNIFER NOBLE – PHOTOGRAPHERChicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee 2014 and the Director of Photography for the ChicagoBlues Guide, Jennifer has been photographing legendary blues artists for over 30 years. Herphotos have been published all over the world and recently featured in an exhibition aboutWomen in the Blues in Chicago. She has been a DJ with her own radio show in the USA andinterviewed many blues artists over the years. She is now based in London and is a member ofthe UK Blues Federation.KAT PEARSON – BLUES SINGERAfrican-American Kat comes from a long history of Gospel hymns, Blues hummers and Soulsingers, and leads her band Kat & Co now in London. Kat’s face has graced the cover of IDMagazine and she has appeared in the video of the hit single “Block Rockin’ Beats” by theChemical Brothers. She received a standing ovation from the crowd at Montreaux Festival andhas guested on the hit single of D:Ream’s “Things Can Only Get Better”. Kathleen has sharedthe stage with LuLu, Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters Jr), Jason Robello, Tony Remy, Lil JimmyReed, also with Chicago Blues Queens Peaches Staten and Deitra Farr to name a few.ZOE HOWE- MUSIC WRITERZoë Howe is a writer, musician and visual artist based in Essex. Current projects include a filmand book about the life and work of X-Ray Spex singer Poly Styrene. Previous booksinclude, ’Lee Brilleaux – Rock ‘n’ Roll Gentleman’, the bestselling ‘Stevie Nicks – Visions,Dreams And Rumours’,‘Barbed Wire Kisses – The Jesus and Mary Chain Story’,‘TypicalGirls? The Story Of The Slits’, ‘How’s Your Dad? Living In The Shadow of a Rock StarParent’, ‘Florence + The Machine – An Almighty Sound’ and ‘Wilko Johnson – Looking Back AtMe’. She was a contributing author to ‘British Beat Explosion – Rock ‘n’ Roll Island’ and toJulien’s documentary The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson. In 2015, Zoë joined the Doc 'n' Roll FilmFestival jury, and as of 2016, she is The Blues Magazine’s resident ‘rock ‘n’ roll agony aunt'.

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